Chicago school board raises tax levy on families ‘at a breaking point’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education has raised its property tax levy to fund Chicago Public Schools, but opponents say property owners are selling and families are at a breaking point. Board President Sean Harden said the “special” board meeting was held during the school district’s winter break to consider an amendment […]
Op-Ed: How one puppy mill-teliant retailer is preempting local laws | Opinion
One of the most overlooked threats to community-based control in America isn’t coming from Washington politicians or even state government officials, but from a corporation that is using state power to override local regulations. This national retailer sources many of the puppies it sells from cramped and unhealthy large-scale commercial breeding operations. To preserve its […]
White business owners are biggest share of Illinois’ diversity-preferred contract group | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois’ initiative to boost the amount of state contract money it awards to businesses owned by racial minorities and women continues to struggle despite the tens of millions of dollars the state has spent. This month, the number of those businesses that are certified for preference in state contracting dropped again, […]
IL rep: As if Bears ‘had a plan to rob the bank’ before considering Indiana | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois state rep whose district includes Soldier Field says the Chicago Bears are bluffing by suggesting a move to Northwest Indiana, but Indiana Gov. Mike Braun says the Bears recognize his state’s pro-business climate. Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren announced in an open letter Dec. 17 that the National […]
IL dyslexia screening takes effect Jan. 1, drawing reading instruction debate | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Illinois rolls out a new law requiring early literacy screenings beginning Jan. 1, some educators question whether it will solve reading issues or just mislabel children as dyslexic. Senate Bill 1672 requires public school districts to conduct early literacy screening testing and report data for students in kindergarten through third […]
Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026 | Pennsylvania
(The Center Square) – For 67 million people relying on electricity from the regional power grid, PJM, cheaper utility bills in 2026 are little more than a pipe dream. It’s not an unexpected blow, despite moves from the Trump administration and state regulators to keep prices in check. Why? Because there’s simply not enough power […]
Illinois’ safe gun storage law goes into effect Jan. 1 | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Components of Illinois Safe Gun Storage Act go into effect Jan. 1. Supporters of Senate Bill 8, like gun control advocacy group Giffords, say in addition to strengthening existing domestic violence laws and investing $19 million in taxpayer funds to community violence intervention programs, Illinois enacting the safe gun storage law […]
California attorney general joins coalition to protect trans youth in sports | California
(The Center Square) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined 12 Democratic attorneys general on Tuesday, submitting an amicus brief opposing a legal challenge to Minnesota’s policies that allow transgender athletes to participate in female sports. The brief was submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Female Athletes United v. […]
Attorneys general sue to keep consumer bureau funded | California
(The Center Square) – Democratic attorneys general from 22 jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Monday over its plans to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We won’t stand by as consumer protections are dismantled,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a virtual news conference Monday with the attorneys general from Oregon, Colorado and New […]
Gas prices drop, but taxes make Illinois pricier than Midwest neighbors | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Although Illinois drivers are now paying less at the pump, a state lawmaker says prices would be lower if not for the state’s high gas taxes. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Illinois dipped below $3 a gallon Friday to $2.99, down from $3.27 […]